Stay Signed In
Do you want to access your site more quickly on this computer? Check this box, and your username and password will be remembered for two weeks. Click logout to turn this off.
Stay Safe
Do not check this box if you are using a public computer. You don't want anyone seeing your personal info or messing with your site.
This was the first time the event has had two seperate categories. One as per normal winch challenge standards with a limit of 35" tyres and the new class with a limit of 37" tyres and a few other changes. We decided to run in the new class as we currently run 37" Mickey Thompson Baja Claws. This was also the first time friday night stages counted towards the overall points, so it was important to be ready from the get go. As we are only new at the winching events we were a little anxious but once the first stage was completed it was business as usual. Friday night bought drizzle that increased as the night went on. The first stage we had a great run driving the only winch hill most of the way only leaving us a very short steep winch, and then a blast around the hill and full bickys up to the finish gate in a competitive time. The nerves were now gone.
The second of the night stages was a lot longer and a lot more demanding on driver, navi and winch. After dropping into a gully that pushed you left, you turn right then hard left to set up for the slippery winch hill. The earlier trucks definitly had the better of track conditions but hey thats the luck of the draw. Every tean attempted this with different syles. Some teams addopted a long single pull while most used two shorter winches and a couple even had to use the winch three times to ascend to hill. Trucks then made their way down the hill then turned into a gully at the bottom. Fester rolled his truck in this section and Glen also rolled whilst attempting to recover fester. Then it was a sharp off camber left up another greasy hill to the finish gate. Again towards the end of the night as conditions worsened most had to winch this as earlier in the night most were able to drive this section. We started this stage at about 1.00am and just made it inside the allowed DNF time with 4 secs remaining. Too close for comfort.
Saturday morning saw the trucks divided into five groups of 4 or 5. We started on stage 5 which started in a gully which you followed for about 50m the a short sharp winch to the left. Our little t-max motor wasn't up to it and we had to reset up for a double line pull. Then proceeded up the hill where you had to turn around in the allocated area and blast to the finish gate. An average time for us due to the poor winch motor.
We then headed for stage 7 which was a good stage for us, well sort of? Two seperate winch hills were incorperated in this stage which kept Wil moving. As the winch was struggling I decided that i would drive a lot harder to compensate for the slowness of the winch. We posted a great time but after the stage had discovered I had broke the pittman arm off the steering box. Were unable to locate a spare amongst fellow competitors so it was back to bribane to but a new steering box. Wil's wife Cass picked it up from Bega Road wreckers and met us at Burpengary. By the time we returned and fitted it the saturday stages were finished. We had missed 3 stages for which we would have DNS. So it was to the esky for the night and the meal and raffle. What a great night mingling with the other competitors and officials comparing highs and lows from the days competition. Over $2000 was raised for the RFDS, GOOD STUFF!
Sunday morning and Fester and Jason took pity on our slow winch motor and offered to lend us his 6hp warn motor. What great guys!!! So after fitting the new motor we approached Sunday morning with a new vigour.
Three stages in store for us today. The first was a repeat from the stage on saturday were I broke the pitman arm. The new motor was about 3 times faster than our other one. I was a lot more reserved in my approach to this stage as having missed so many stages the day before would well and truely put us out of any overall result. A good time none the less.
Stage 10 turned out to be the highlight for us as we would later found out that we came 1st. What a suprise as this was the only stage that Spoony and Stirlo didn't win, 9/10 for those guys! What an effort! Only one short winch for us and drove the next winch point and blasted to th finish gate not before nearly putting the truck over on its lid. Hit the bottom of the gully with a little too much Gusto but eventually the back wheels returned to terra firma and all was good.
The last stage for us was Stage 9. Well what and awesome stage. Great techinal entry at ther start then two winches and a great blap across the top of the hill before decending into the gully and exit from friday nights stage. We were totally wrapped with this stage as well. Another good time.
We thoroughly enjoyed our second winch event and contiue to learn and improve after each stage. Thanks to Lance and all the officials for making this a must do event. Thanks again to Fester and Jason for your generousity and help.
Whether competeing or spectating I strongly urge everyone to get along to round 2 in Audust. You won't regret it.
Back To Home Page
